The 2020-21 NHL season is finally almost here, with the puck set to drop in one week. So we look ahead to the 56-game slate and projecting who will be among the 100 top players.
We asked a panel of 11 ESPN NHL experts to grade players based on how good they will be in comparison to their peers this season. Emphasis was entirely on predicting potential greatness for 2020-21, rather than past performance. From those ratings, we were able to rank the best of the best and compile a list of the top 100 players.
Because this list is predictive for this coming season, Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov -- last year's No. 2 player and a would-be top-five guy this time around -- did not make the list as he recovers from hip surgery that will keep him from the entire regular season. The Lightning still tied the Dallas Stars (last season's two Stanley Cup finalists) for the most players on the list with six apiece. In all, 29 of 31 teams were represented, with the Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils missing out.
For each player on the list, Greg Wyshynski and Emily Kaplan weighed in on his 2020-21 outlook, and ESPN Stats & Information provided a signature stat to know. OK, here's the full list:
Jump to a notable player outside the top 10:
J. Eichel | B. Marchand | Q. Hughes
M. Barzal | C. Price | R. O'Reilly
P. Laine | C. Giroux | E. Kuznetsov
S. Bobrovsky | J. Guentzel | I. Shesterkin
See more: Snubs | Future of the list
1. Connor McDavid
C | Oilers
Age: 24
To put McDavid's 1.34 career points-per-game average into perspective, it currently ranks fifth in NHL history, right behind Bobby Orr (1.39). In the past 30 years, it's third behind Mario Lemieux (1.84) and Wayne Gretzky (1.43). McDavid is an otherworldly offensive talent who makes a new helpless defender famous in a highlight seemingly every week. And he hasn't even reached his final form yet. -- Greg Wyshynski
Signature stat: The only other active players to record at least 450 points in their first five NHL seasons are Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. McDavid has also produced 124 multipoint games since 2016-17, six more than any other player over that span.
2. Nathan MacKinnon
C | Avalanche
Age: 25
Is there a better value in the league than MacKinnon? He makes just $6.3 million but has 289 points over the last three seasons, third-most in the league. The 25-year-old is a perennial MVP candidate, often carrying the load when his team battles depth-scoring issues or the injury bug. And once more for emphasis: He's only 25. -- Emily Kaplan
Signature stat: MacKinnon led the NHL last season with 25 primary assists in 5-on-5 situations. That total was 10 more than any other Avalanche player. According to Natural Stat Trick, only four players created more rebounds than MacKinnon last season (36).
3. Victor Hedman
D | Lightning
Age: 30
The Lightning defenseman has been a Norris Trophy finalist in four straight seasons, including one win. But his 22-point performance in their run to the Stanley Cup, winning the Conn Smythe, cemented the 30-year-old defenseman as the best blueliner of his generation. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Hedman became the third defenseman in NHL history to score 10 or more goals in a single postseason, joining Paul Coffey and Brian Leetch.
4. Leon Draisaitl
C | Oilers
Age: 25
Turns out Draisaitl was more than Connor McDavid's wingman. He forever emerged from his teammate's shadow with an incredible 110 points in 71 games, including 43 goals, as the center of his own line. He won the Hart Trophy as MVP and the Ted Lindsay Award as NHLPA Player of the Year, gaining a newfound respect as a superstar. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Draisaitl registered at least one point in 56 of his 71 appearances in 2019-20, the highest such percentage in the NHL. He also recorded an NHL-best 33 multipoint performances, four more than any other player.
5. Andrei Vasilevskiy
G | Lightning
Age: 26
If you were starting a team from scratch, Vasilevskiy would be the obvious option in goal. He's simply the best in the league right now. Over the last four seasons, no starting goalie has more wins (141) or a better save percentage (.920) than Vasilevskiy. But he is also projected to be the best over the next few seasons, as he's only 26. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Vasilevskiy became the sixth goalie (seventh instance) since 1943-44 to lead the league in wins for three straight seasons. He joined five Hockey Hall of Famers: Martin Brodeur, Ed Giacomin, Jacques Plante, Terry Sawchuk and Bill Durnan.
6. Artemi Panarin
LW | Rangers
Age: 29
Panarin's 415 points since 2015-16 rank fifth in the NHL, but it was his 95-point effort to elevate a Rangers team still gestating in a rebuild into the postseason that turned a free-agent prize into an MVP finalist. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: According to Evolving Hockey, Panarin averaged 3.38 points per 60 minutes at even strength last season, the highest single-season rate by any player over the last seven seasons. He also led the NHL with 71 even-strength points, becoming the first Rangers player to lead the NHL in that category since Jean Ratelle had 82 in 1971-72.
7. Auston Matthews
C | Maple Leafs
Age: 23
Matthews posted his first top-10 Hart Trophy finish after scoring 47 goals in just 70 games last season. It feels like Matthews -- who burst onto the scene with a 40-goal rookie season in 2016-17 -- is on the cusp of reaching his true potential. It's exciting for the Leafs but scary for everyone else. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Matthews needed just 55 games to reach the 40-goal mark last season, the fewest by a Maple Leafs player since Dave Andreychuk needed 51 to reach the mark in 1993-94. Only four American-born players have recorded multiple 40-goal seasons within their first four NHL seasons: Matthews, Joe Mullen, Jimmy Carson and Jeremy Roenick.
8. Sidney Crosby
C | Penguins
Age: 33
Sid is now a 33-year-old "kid," but he remains perhaps the NHL's most complete player. He had a 1.15 points per game average last season -- he has never posted an average lower than 1.06 in 15 NHL seasons -- and finished fourth for the Selke Trophy one season earlier. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Crosby has factored on a regular-season game-winning goal 200 times in his career. The only other active players to reach that mark are Joe Thornton (247) and Patrick Marleau (217). And according to the Elias Sports Bureau, only four other players have reached that mark before playing in their 1,000th career game: Wayne Gretzky, Phil Esposito, Guy Lafleur and Jaromir Jagr.
9. Alex Ovechkin
LW | Capitals
Age: 35
Remember 2017, when pundits began wondering if Ovechkin was washed up? Well, reports of the Great Eight's demise were extremely premature. Over the last three seasons, Ovechkin has posted 49, 51 and 48 goals, respectively. Even entering his age-35 season, one of the all-time greatest goal scorers isn't slowing down just yet. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Including 2019-20, Ovechkin has led (outright or shared) the NHL in goals nine times in his career, most in league history. Of his 706 career goals, 220 were the first of the game for Washington. That is tied with Jarome Iginla for the fourth-most game-opening goals for a team. The only players with more are Brett Hull (240), Gordie Howe (238) and Jaromir Jagr (236).
10. David Pastrnak
RW | Bruins
Age: 24
If it's a Bruins power play, chances are Pastrnak is scoring on it. His 60 goals scored with the man advantage are second only to Alex Ovechkin since 2016-17. And last season, he tied the Capitals star to lead the NHL with 48 total goals. It was his fourth straight season with at least 30 goals, and he improved in each of them from the prior year. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Over the last two seasons, Pastrnak has averaged 1.29 points per game, fourth-most in the NHL in that span. That trails only Connor McDavid, Nikita Kucherov and Leon Draisaitl.
11. Connor Hellebuyck
G | Jets
Age: 27
The reigning Vezina Trophy winner also finished sixth in Hart Trophy voting last season. His performance is the biggest reason the Jets made the NHL's expanded playoff field and remained competitive despite massive defensive turnover. At 27 years old, he's right in his prime. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Hellebuyck's 109 wins over the last three seasons are the second-most behind only Andrei Vasilevskiy's 118.
12. Roman Josi
D | Predators
Age: 30
What were you doing on Sept. 23? Because the city of Nashville was celebrating "Roman Josi Day," with Mayor John Cooper proclaiming it was a moment to honor "the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position," referring to his Norris Trophy win last season. He's a tremendous player at both ends of the ice for the Predators. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Since 2013-14, Josi's 99 goals are fourth-most among NHL defensemen.
13. Jack Eichel
C | Sabres
Age: 24
We know how dominant Eichel can look, even while his team is dreadful and unwatchable. We're expecting the 24-year-old to level up even more this season, as management paid $9 million for one season to get Taylor Hall on the captain's wing. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Eichel had a career-high 11 power-play goals in 2019-20, matching his total for the previous two seasons combined.
14. Brayden Point
C | Lightning
Age: 24
In just four seasons, Point went from being the best-kept secret in hockey to arguably its best two-way forward. He's a player who can break 40 goals just as easily as he can shut down an opposing scoring line. His 33-point performance in the Lightning's Stanley Cup title run was one of the best in the bubble. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Over the past three seasons, Point is eighth in the NHL in total goals (regular season and playoffs) with 120, ahead of such luminaries as Brad Marchand (118), John Tavares (114), Patrice Bergeron (110) and Patrick Kane (106).
15. Patrick Kane
RW | Blackhawks
Age: 31
The Blackhawks are committing to a rebuild and incorporating younger players, which has to be frustrating for Kane, who is still producing at an elite level. Since he is showing no signs of slowing down, Kane could be the NHL's next ageless wonder. The crafty winger has 465 points over the last five seasons. Only Connor McDavid has more. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Kane is one of just six players to average at least a point per game for his career as a Blackhawk. His 1.05 rate is tied with Stan Mikita for fourth-best in franchise history.
16. Alex Pietrangelo
D | Golden Knights
Age: 30
Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon called Pietrangelo an "elite defenseman" when the Golden Knights inked him to a blockbuster free-agent contract, and the moniker fits. The former Blues captain is an effective offensive player who excels with smart defense. Could he be the final piece of the Vegas Stanley Cup puzzle? -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Pietrangelo has 58 goals in 299 games over the last four seasons after having 51 goals in 459 games from 2008-16.
17. John Carlson
D | Capitals
Age: 31
Last year, Alex Ovechkin began calling him Johnny Norris, a campaign built off Carlson's outrageous offensive numbers. The defenseman, who led Washington with 75 points in 69 games, finished second to Roman Josi in Norris Trophy voting. He should pick up where he left off this season. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Carlson is the Caps' all-time leader in points by a defenseman (478), and only Rod Langway (plus-116) has a better career plus/minus among Caps blueliners than Carlson's plus-92.
18. Mitch Marner
RW | Maple Leafs
Age: 23
Marner is an elusive skater with extraordinary playmaking ability, finishing third in the NHL behind Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov in primary assists (52) over the last two seasons. But the Maple Leafs star could easily be one of those players whose incredible performances can't overcome the baggage of his cap hit ($10.893 million). -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Marner's 1.14 points-per-game average over the last two seasons is just ahead of more heralded fellow Leafs Auston Matthews (1.11) and John Tavares (1.02) over that same time frame.
19. Seth Jones
D | Blue Jackets
Age: 26
Just keep in mind that Jones is only entering his prime now, which sounds strange considering he has been operating as a No. 1 defenseman for so long. Jones needs to stay healthy, but if he does, a Norris Trophy over the next three years is well within reach. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: After posting career highs in goals (16) and power-play goals (7) in 2017-18, Jones had 15 goals and two power-play goals in 131 games over the past two seasons.
20. Brad Marchand
LW | Bruins
Age: 32
To put it in music terms, Marchand is to the NHL as the Beastie Boys are to rap rock. His pest years were his "Fight For Your Right (To Party)." While he still has that mischievous side, Marchand is a legit goal-scoring ace in the league, as he's fourth in goals since the 2015-16 season (174). -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Marchand is one of five players to register 25 goals and 50 assists in each of the past three seasons. The others: Connor McDavid, Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon and Artemi Panarin.
21. Elias Pettersson
C | Canucks
Age: 21
He's the centerpiece for the young, exciting Canucks, who burst onto the scene ahead of schedule last year. Pettersson already has 132 points over his first two NHL campaigns, and he enters his age-22 season poised to take an even bigger step forward. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Pettersson has notched at least 65 points in each of his first two NHL seasons. The only other player to begin his career with consecutive 65-point seasons over the last decade is Artemi Panarin.
22. Cale Makar
D | Avalanche
Age: 22
Not since Erik Karlsson did so a decade ago has a defenseman entered the NHL as an offensive force of nature quite like Makar. He had 50 points in 57 games, finishing third in points per game for a blueliner last season (0.88) behind Norris finalists John Carlson and Roman Josi. When he gets skating through the neutral zone into the attacking zone, watch out. "You get caught flat-footed, and you got a guy like Cale coming at you, it's almost an impossible play for the defense -- and the goalie, for that matter," said Avalanche coach Jared Bednar. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Makar had 50 points in his rookie season, joining Quinn Hughes as rookie defensemen to hit that mark in 2019-20. Prior to last season, the last rookie defenseman to reach the 50-point plateau was Vladimir Malakhov for the Islanders in 1992-93.
23. Mark Stone
RW | Golden Knights
Age: 28
If a winger is going to win the Selke Trophy anytime soon (it hasn't been done since 2003), Stone is the top candidate. He has been voted top-five in each of the last four seasons. The Golden Knights put tremendous pressure on themselves to win now, and Stone will play a huge role in that push. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: According to Natural Stat Trick, Stone's 78 takeaways last season were the most by any winger in the NHL. He also had only 38 giveaways. That plus-40 differential between his takeaways and giveaways also led all NHL wingers.
24. Evgeni Malkin
C | Penguins
Age: 34
It's still a travesty that Malkin, one of the most dominant players of his generation, was left off the NHL's top 100 all-century list. Only two players -- Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin -- have more points than Malkin's 1,076 in 907 games. And only Connor McDavid and Crosby have a higher points percentage (1.19). A combination of injuries and Crosby's shadow may obscure Malkin at times, but he's an all-timer. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Malkin's 1.35 points per game last season ranked sixth in the NHL (minimum 50 games) and was the third-highest in any season in his illustrious career. The previous time he reached 1.3 points per game was in 2011-12 (1.45), when he won the Hart Trophy.
25. Mikko Rantanen
RW | Avalanche
Age: 24
Injuries cut Rantanen's 2019-20 season to just 42 games, but the Finnish winger is poised for a big bounce back on Colorado's top line alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog. Expect Rantanen to look once again like his 2018-19 self, a season in which he put up 87 points in 74 games. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Despite playing just 42 games last season, his 36 power-play goals over the last three seasons rank in the top 10 in the NHL. And per Natural Stat Trick, Rantanen's 25.9% shooting percentage on the power play is third-best in the league over that span among the 136 players to log 500 power-play minutes.
26. Patrice Bergeron
C | Bruins
Age: 35
Ask young NHL centers which player they want to emulate, and Bergeron is the name you hear most. Defensively, he's one of the best faceoff men in hockey history and has won the Selke Trophy four times during a record run of nine straight nominations. Offensively, he has 869 career points in 1,089 games. Bergeron is the total package for the Bruins. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Bergeron has a remarkable 11-season active streak of winning at least 55% of faceoffs, the longest of its kind since the turn of the century. The last time he dipped below that mark was 2008-09, winning 54.5% that season.
27. Sebastian Aho
C | Hurricanes
Age: 23
The most underrated top line in the league belongs to Carolina. Aho, Teuvo Teravainen and Andrei Svechnikov have scary-high potential, especially since they're all 25 years old or younger. Aho, 22, is a gifted playmaker with a scoring touch. He should only build off the 38 goals he scored in 68 games in 2019-20. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Aho burst on the scene with 24 goals as a rookie but remarkably has increased his goal scoring tally each season of his career. The only other player over the last 20 years to score 20 goals in his debut season and proceed to increase his total each of the following three seasons was Ilya Kovalchuk.
28. Quinn Hughes
D | Canucks
Age: 21
Canucks defenseman Alex Edler said that Hughes' skating is "elite-class." We witnessed that in his rookie season, as the Calder finalist had 0.78 points per game and acquitted himself well defensively, too. Hughes is a special talent who has earned comparisons to Hall of Famer Scott Niedermayer. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Hughes led all rookies with 53 points last season. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he became just the third defenseman to lead rookies in points over the last 80 seasons. He joined a pair of Hall of Famers in Brian Leetch and Bobby Orr.
29. Mika Zibanejad
C | Rangers
Age: 27
Artemi Panarin got a lot of love for his dazzling Rangers debut last season (and rightfully so), but Zibanejad also announced himself as a star No. 1 center. Expectations are high after scoring 41 goals in just 57 games, but there's no reason the 27-year-old shouldn't meet them. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Zibanejad scored a career-high 41 goals last season, at one point scoring in 12 out of 13 games, the first Rangers player ever to do so. The highlight of his season was a five-goal game, capped with an overtime winner. He joined Sergei Fedorov as the only players in NHL history to finish off a five-goal game with an overtime winner.
30. Steven Stamkos
C | Lightning
Age: 30
When healthy, Stamkos is one of the best goal scorers ever, with 422 tallies in 803 games for the 17th highest goals-per-game average in NHL history. But healthy is the key. Stamkos was limited 57 games last season and famously played only one game in the playoffs, scoring a goal on his only shot. But in those 57 games, he had 66 points. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Since making his debut in 2008-09, Stamkos ranks second in the NHL in goals (422), trailing only Alex Ovechkin over that time frame.
31. John Tavares
C | Maple Leafs
Age: 30
In 2018, Tavares became the splashiest free-agent signing in Maple Leafs history, which means unrelenting spotlight and criticism will always follow him. Tavares' production dipped a bit last season, but he's just two years removed from a 47-goal season and should be supremely motivated to get back there. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: The Maple Leafs' captain has 52 career multigoal games, fourth most in the NHL since Tavares entered the league in 2009-10 (Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos and Sidney Crosby).
32. Tuukka Rask
G | Bruins
Age: 33
Despite a Vezina win and two finalist nominees, it's possible Rask is still a little underrated given how good the Bruins teams in front of him have been. But the numbers don't lie: Rask was 26-8-6 last season with a .929 save percentage and an NHL-best 2.12 goals-against average. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Since becoming a starter in 2009-10, Rask has a goals-against average of 2.26, the best mark in the NHL.
33. Mathew Barzal
C | Islanders
Age: 23
The Islanders pride themselves on their defensive team-first identity, but there is one emerging offensively minded superstar on the roster. Barzal is the most talented and creative forward on the Isles, and the 23-year-old has the highest upside of any player currently in the organization. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Barzal earned the title of fastest skater at the 2020 NHL All-Star Skills Competition, dethroning three-time reigning champion Connor McDavid in the process. What does that speed do? According to Natural Stat Trick, Barzal drew 27 penalties last season. That was 10 more than any other Islanders player.
34. Carter Hart
G | Flyers
Age: 22
Goaltending experts marvel at Hart's positioning in the crease, as his fundamentals are solid beyond his 22 years. In just two seasons, he has given the Flyers something they haven't had in decades: hope that they've found a homegrown franchise goalie. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: In Games 3 and 4 of the Flyers' first-round playoff series against the Canadiens, Hart became the second-youngest goalie to post consecutive shutouts in NHL postseason history, behind only Detroit's Harry Lumley in 1945.
35. Aleksander Barkov
C | Panthers
Age: 25
For many years, Barkov was considered the most underrated player in the league. Now he's properly appreciated for being extremely skilled, sound defensively, and just plain strong overall. And now acclimated to coach Joel Quenneville's demanding style, Barkov could reach new heights in 2020-21. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: At 25 years old, Barkov already has the third-most career points in Panthers franchise history with 407. He only trails Jonathan Huberdeau (437) and Olli Jokinen (419).
36. Carey Price
G | Canadiens
Age: 33
It's a tribute to Price that teams were concerned that expanding the 2020 postseason would mean having to face him in the qualification round. Lo and behold, he was impenetrable in three wins to eliminate the Penguins. At 33, he's one of the NHL's best goalies and the one most respected by his peers. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Perhaps the Canadiens' acquisition of goaltender Jake Allen was done in an effort to take some of the load off Price, who led the NHL in minutes played for a second consecutive season in 2019-20. Price became the first goalie to lead the league in minutes in consecutive seasons since New Jersey's Martin Brodeur in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
37. Miro Heiskanen
D | Stars
Age: 21
The 2020 playoffs were a coming-out party for several players, but perhaps nobody announced themself quite like Heiskanen. The 21-year-old scored at nearly a point-per-game pace while manning massive minutes (25:58 per game), showing what he's capable of going forward. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: In those 2020 playoffs, Heiskanen became the sixth defenseman in NHL history to record at least 25 points in a single postseason. He joined Paul Coffey, Brian Leetch, Al MacInnis, Ray Bourque and Denis Potvin.
38. Mark Scheifele
C | Jets
Age: 27
Scheifele's value to the Jets could be summed up by the impact of his postseason absence. He was injured after playing just 2:59, and Winnipeg generated six goals in four games in that series loss. Scheifele is a consistently good offensive player -- with some defensive liability -- and at 27, he should be able to threaten for 40 goals again. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Scheifele is one of three players with at least 150 goals and a plus-60 rating over the last five seasons (151 goals, plus-63), along with Nikita Kucherov and Brad Marchand.
39. Taylor Hall
LW | Sabres
Age: 28
He's just three years removed from winning league MVP. But since then, there was an unceremonious divorce with New Jersey and a forgettable stint in Arizona. The prove-it one-year, $9 million deal with Buffalo should help Hall return to form, as will the chance to play on Jack Eichel's wing. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Hall will join Dominik Hasek as the only Hart Trophy winners to play for the Sabres. Hall won the award in 2018.
40. Zach Werenski
D | Blue Jackets
Age: 23
Does anyone else get old-school Nashville Shea Weber vs. Ryan Suter vibes from the Seth Jones vs. Werenski debate? Jones is like Weber, a more renowned and universally appreciated defenseman. Werenski is like Suter -- the superior defender analytically who can still hang offensively (41 points in 63 games last season, a more productive season than Jones) but doesn't grab the same spotlight. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Werenski is one of 17 defensemen all time to record at least 35 points in each of their first four NHL seasons. He is one of just three this century to do so, joining John Klingberg (2015-18) and Dion Phaneuf (2006-09).
41. Brent Burns
D | Sharks
Age: 35
Last season was an unmemorable one for both Burns and the Sharks. But San Jose's top minutes-eating defenseman, who finished second in Norris Trophy voting in 2019, will be out to prove he's still elite and one of the best offensive defensemen in the game. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Burns has played in 541 consecutive games dating back to the 2013 season, good for the fourth-longest active streak. In 2019, he became the fourth primary defenseman to play more than 500 consecutive games in NHL history, joining Keith Yandle (866, active), Jay Bouwmeester (737) and Karl Alzner (622).
42. Shea Theodore
D | Golden Knights
Age: 25
The 2019-20 season was the closest we've come to initiating Theodore into the fraternity of elite NHL defensemen. He skated a career-high 22:14 per game, scored career highs in goals (13) and points (46) and earned newfound respect with a 19-points-in-20-games roll in the postseason. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: His 11 postseason goals are the most by a defenseman in Golden Knights team history. He scored seven of those in the 2020 postseason, good for second-most among all defensemen behind only Victor Hedman's 10.
43. Morgan Rielly
D | Maple Leafs
Age: 26
The Leafs' woes typically fall on their blueline deficiencies, but Rielly has never been an issue. A leader in Toronto's locker room, he played through injury for most of last season. Fully healthy now, he should return to the Norris-conversation Rielly of 2018-19. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Rielly's 270 career points are by far the most by any defenseman selected in the 2012 NHL draft. The next closest is the Rangers' Jacob Trouba (206), who was selected ninth overall, four spots behind Rielly.
44. Ryan O'Reilly
C | Blues
Age: 29
O'Reilly had long been respected as a defensive center with great faceoff skills, and he was sixth for the Selke Trophy voting when he was 22 years old. But his arrival in St. Louis leveled up his offensive game, as his 0.90 points-per-game average from 2018-20 ranks him 21st among all NHL centers. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: He has led the league in faceoff wins in each of the last three seasons, doing so at a clip north of 56%.
45. John Gibson
G | Ducks
Age: 27
The Ducks have embraced a youth movement, which has left them not very competitive for the time being. Their only saving grace has been Gibson, who has faced the fourth-most shots of any goalie over the past three seasons but still posted a .916 save percentage. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Gibson's career save percentage of .918 is good for 10th-best among goalies to debut since 1955-56 (minimum 250 games played). He's one of four active goaltenders to crack the top 10, alongside Tuukka Rask (.922), Ben Bishop (.921) and Andrei Vasilevskiy (.920).
46. Erik Karlsson
D | Sharks
Age: 30
It's wild to think we're only three years removed from Karlsson being the consensus best defenseman in the world, but injuries have taken their toll on the Swedish star. He still has 85 points in his last 109 games, as Karlsson at 80% is better than most of the league at 100%, but we've yet to see Karlsson at 100% during his time in San Jose. Let's hope we do. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Karlsson has the highest points-per-game figure (0.82) among active defensemen (minimum 500 games played). Under that same criteria, his rate is tied for eighth all time among defensemen, with seven of those players reaching Hall of Fame status.
47. Matthew Tkachuk
LW | Flames
Age: 23
Just four years into the league, Tkachuk is already one of the NHL's greatest pests. But as with Brad Marchand, don't overlook his production. At 22, he is just tapping into his offensive potential while showing he'll do anything on the ice to win. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Tkachuk has scored 94 goals in 293 career games through his first four seasons. His father, Keith, who played 18 seasons from 1991-2010, also scored 94 goals through the first four seasons of his career (232 games).
48. Dougie Hamilton
D | Hurricanes
Age: 27
Hamilton is sometimes defined by his quirks, like his love of museums and being an adult named "Dougie," but they never obscure the fact that he's an elite offensive defenseman. It's a shame that last season was sullied by injuries, because D-Ham's 40 points in 47 games and 13.2 goals-scored above average had him on track for his first Norris nomination. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Hamilton's 49 goals over the last three seasons are the most in the NHL among defensemen. He is also one of just four blueliners with 10 goals and 20 assists in each of the last six seasons (Brent Burns, Victor Hedman and Roman Josi).
49. Sean Couturier
C | Flyers
Age: 28
The reigning Selke Trophy winner will once again play a big role, as the Flyers are ready to take the next step as a contender. Over the last three seasons, Couturier's 166 even-strength points rank fourth in the NHL; only Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Nathan MacKinnon have more. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Couturier became the third Flyers player to win the Selke last season, and the first since Dave Poulin in 1986-87. Bobby Clarke won the organization's first in 1982-83.
50. Shea Weber
D | Canadiens
Age: 35
The veteran defenseman has trended up over the past two seasons with Montreal, putting together his finest as a Hab in 2019-20 with 36 points in 65 games. He remains a physical presence, with a slap shot that's hard enough to make opposing players (and sometimes teammates) reconsider their choice of occupation. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Weber scored 15 goals last season, tied for fourth-most among defensemen.
51. Mark Giordano
D | Flames
Age: 37
It feels like Giordano is finally getting his due. He won the Norris Trophy in 2019 and the Mark Messier leadership award in 2020. A shortened season could benefit the 37-year-old Giordano, the best defenseman on a team trying to break through from its middle-of-the road status. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Over the past three seasons, Giordano has the seventh-most shots on goal among defensemen with 592.
52. Thomas Chabot
D | Senators
Age: 23
There's a reason Ottawa handed Chabot an eight-year, $64 million contract in 2019, and not just to make sure he didn't get poached. The point-producing defenseman is a foundational building block for the Senators, although they undoubtably hope they get more seasons like 2018-19 (0.79 points per game) than like last season (0.55). -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Chabot logged the highest average time on ice in the NHL last season, with 26 minutes per game.
53. Robin Lehner
G | Golden Knights
Age: 29
Lehner has bounced around in his career, but he finally found long-term security in Vegas -- which should give him confidence, despite a tandem with Marc-Andre Fleury for this season. Over the last two seasons, Lehner ranks fourth among starting goaltenders with a .925 save percentage. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Since 2018-19, Lehner has the seventh-best goals-against average among goalies with at least 1,000 saves (2.47).
54. Tyler Seguin
C | Stars
Age: 28
After a pair of tremendous seasons for the Stars, Seguin had a middling 2019-20 that led to an underwhelming, injury-plagued postseason (two goals in 26 games). But when he's healthy, locked in and not snake-bit, he's one of the NHL's most dynamic offensive talents. He will miss some time to begin the season as he recovers from hip surgery. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Seguin has scored 30-plus goals in five of the past seven seasons, second-most only to Alex Ovechkin's seven.
55. Jaccob Slavin
D | Hurricanes
Age: 26
One of the NHL's premiere defensive defensemen, Slavin had his finest offensive season (0.44 points per game) in 2019-20. It's no coincidence that he also had his highest finish for the Norris Trophy (fifth), an award for defensemen that rewards offense. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Slavin recorded 30 assists in 2019-20, the first Hurricanes defenseman to do so since Justin Faulk recorded 34 in 2014-15.
56. Rasmus Dahlin
D | Sabres
Age: 20
Buffalo worked the No. 1 pick of the 2018 draft into the lineup right away, but it hasn't been the smoothest ascent, in part because of a coaching change and a concussion that limited him to 59 games last season. He's a smooth skater with tremendous offensive potential, and he should get an even bigger role this season. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Dahlin joined Phil Housley as the only Sabres defensemen to record 30 assists in each of their first two seasons.
57. Patrik Laine
RW | Jets
Age: 22
While it was overshadowed by the sudden trade speculation, Laine had a nice bounce-back season with the Jets in 2019-20, with the best points-per-game average of his career (0.93). Perhaps a reunion with center Paul Stastny could elevate his goal total, too. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Since his debut year in 2016-17, Laine has the seventh-most goals with 138.
58. Kris Letang
D | Penguins
Age: 33
Entering his age-33 season, Letang is still the anchor of the Penguins' blue line. He still shoulders big minutes (averaged four more minutes than any other teammate last season). And he is still a key offensive driver, even if he evolved his game a bit last season to take fewer risks. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Letang logged 25:44 of ice time per game last season, the fourth-most in the league.
59. Johnny Gaudreau
LW | Flames
Age: 27
It's a pivotal season for Gaudreau, who has two more seasons under contract but has constantly heard his name in trade rumors. He needs to prove he hasn't hit a wall and can still be the 99-point player he was two seasons ago. When he's on, Gaudreau is one of the slickest stickhandlers in the league. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Gaudreau recorded his sixth season with at least 40 assists last season, tied with Theo Fleury and Jarome Iginla for third most in Flames history.
60. Ryan Ellis
D | Predators
Age: 30
Simply put, Ellis is the darling defenseman of the analytics community. Per Evolving Hockey, the Predators blueliner has the highest goals-above-average rate (0.679) among all defensemen over the last three seasons and ranked 14th in that metric among all players. He's a great possession player, too. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Ellis had 30 assists in 49 games in 2019-20, making him the only defenseman with 30 or more assists in fewer than 50 games last season and one of 11 defensemen with at least 30 assists in each of the past two seasons.
61. Jonathan Huberdeau
LW | Panthers
Age: 27
The winger won the Calder Trophy in 2013 but hasn't been in the headlines much since, largely because Florida has been mediocre. But over the past three seasons, Huberdeau has quietly been a point-per-game player and put up 80 goals. He's always a threat, especially when paired with Aleksander Barkov on Florida's top line. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Huberdeau had 29 power-play points in 2019-20, fifth most in NHL (five goals and 24 assists).
62. Kyle Connor
LW | Jets
Age: 24
Perhaps it's the city in which he plays, but Connor's 103 goals over the last three seasons ranks 10th overall in the NHL, and he isn't often mentioned among players like Steven Stamkos and Brad Marchand, who are behind him on that list. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Connor had 28 even-strength goals in 2019-20, tied for fourth-most in the NHL with David Pastrnak.
63. Torey Krug
D | Blues
Age: 29
Perhaps the most stunning move of 2020 free agency was Krug signing with the Blues (the defenseman said he was surprised himself). In St. Louis, Krug will have a huge role manning the top pairing with Colton Parayko and quarterbacking the power play. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Krug finished with 40 assists in 61 games in 2019-20. He's the only defenseman with at least 40 assists in each of the last five seasons.
64. Jacob Markstrom
G | Flames
Age: 30
The free-agent goaltending prize of the offseason, the Flames paid handsomely (six years, $36 million) for a workhorse netminder whose .918 save percentage on a defensively challenged Vancouver team was the best performance of his career. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: With 33.4, Markstrom averaged the most shots against per 60 minutes in the NHL last season (among goalies with more than 40 games played).
65. Pierre-Luc Dubois
C | Blue Jackets
Age: 22
The third overall pick of the 2016 draft has finally arrived. Dubois put up 20-plus goals in each of his first two seasons with Columbus but leveled up this past summer in the 2020 playoffs, where he had 10 points in 10 games. With a new contract in hand, expect a big year from the center. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Dubois' point-per-game pace in the 2020 playoffs was tied for the third-best mark by a player 21 years old or younger since 2010-11.
66. Drew Doughty
D | Kings
Age: 31
That Norris Trophy in 2016 feels like it was a decade ago, which is due to the Kings' descent into rebuilding and Doughty's offensive falloff since 2018 (80 points in 149 games). But he'll still give you almost 26 minutes per night on average and can be a difference-maker. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Doughty averaged 25:49 time on ice per game last season, second in the NHL behind Thomas Chabot (26:00).
67. Gabriel Landeskog
LW | Avalanche
Age: 27
The captain often gets overshadowed on Colorado's top line by his MVP-level center in Nathan MacKinnon, but make no mistake: Landeskog is integral to the Avalanche's success. It's a big year for the 28-year-old, as the Avs must manage the pressure of being a preseason Stanley Cup favorite. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Landeskog has 198 career goals, two shy of becoming the 22nd Swedish-born player in NHL history to reach 200 career goals. Only Mats Sundin (296) had more goals through age 27 for a Swedish-born player.
68. Claude Giroux
LW | Flyers
Age: 33
After two blockbuster "comeback" seasons following a move to left wing, Giroux stumbled a bit in 2019-20, with his points-per-game average dipping back under a point per game (0.77). He remains a possession driver for the Flyers, and a bounce back offensively isn't outlandish to expect. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Giroux finished fourth in playoff faceoff percentage last season (58%) behind Ryan O'Reilly (62%), Nate Thompson (60%) and Bo Horvat (59%) among 55 players with more than 100 faceoffs.
69. Jamie Benn
LW | Stars
Age: 31
The past few seasons haven't always been the smoothest for Benn, who was a Hart finalist in 2016 but has hit a bit of a wall since then. There's big pressure once again on Benn and the Stars after coming so close to winning the Stanley Cup this past summer. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Benn is one of four players with 300 career goals in Stars history (both Minnesota and Dallas). Two of the top four are in the Hall of Fame (Mike Modano and Dino Ciccarelli).
70. John Klingberg
D | Stars
Age: 28
Klingberg had a strong postseason (21 points in 26 games) following a disappointing regular season by his standards, with 32 points in 58 games. The Stars would love to see him uncork another 67-point campaign like the one he had in 2017-18. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Klingberg is the only defenseman since 2005-06 with 25-plus assists in each of his first six seasons.
71. Anze Kopitar
C | Kings
Age: 33
The Kings haven't been very competitive lately, as they embrace a full youth movement. That hasn't stopped Kopitar from still being one of the best two-way forwards in the league. The 33-year-old captain has been named to the top 10 in Selke Trophy voting for eight of the past 10 seasons. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Kopitar ranks in the top five in Kings franchise history in games, goals, assists, points and shots. And he'll likely crack the top three in many of those categories this season.
72. Vladimir Tarasenko
RW | Blues
Age: 29
The Tank has 185 goals since the 2014-15 season, which ranks ninth among all NHL players. And that's after only playing 10 games last season. But that's also the question: Can one of the NHL's top scorers remain on that level if his shoulder issues are chronic? -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Since his debut in 2012-13, Tarasenko has five seasons with 30-plus goals and 30-plus assists. No one has more, and the only others with five are Nikita Kucherov and Tyler Seguin.
73. Max Pacioretty
LW | Golden Knights
Age: 32
The Golden Knights have legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations this season, which means they expect another big season from their 2019-20 leading scorer Pacioretty. He has been a terrific fit in Vegas ever since arriving from Montreal, scoring 54 goals in two seasons. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Since 2013-14, Pacioretty has 48 game-winning goals, second-most in that span, trailing only Alex Ovechkin.
74. Ben Bishop
G | Stars
Age: 33
The towering 6-foot-7 goaltender is a three-time Vezina Trophy finalist whose .927 save percentage over the last two seasons ranks first among all goalies in the NHL. Bishop fits the Dallas defensive system well, and he forms one of the league's top tandems with Anton Khudobin. He will miss some time to begin the season, though, as he recovers from offseason surgery on his knee. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Bishop's 45.36 goals-saved above average over the past two seasons ranks No. 1 in the NHL, according to Natural Stat Trick.
75. Evgeny Kuznetsov
C | Capitals
Age: 28
Ever since his breakout year in 2017-18, coinciding with the Caps' first Stanley Cup, the bar has been raised for Kuznetsov as Washington's first-line center. Though he has been productive (124 points over 139 games), he hasn't necessarily leveled up. Perhaps it will happen this season. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Over the last four postseasons, Kuznetsov has 53 points, which trails only Brad Marchand in that span.
76. Charlie McAvoy
D | Bruins
Age: 23
In just three seasons, the Bruins defenseman has been a dependable possession driver and a strong even-strength performer. Could his offensive production get a boost with more power-play time in a post-Torey Krug world in Boston? -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Last season, McAvoy joined Zdeno Chara as the only Bruins to finish top 10 in Norris Trophy voting in the last 20 years.
77. Oliver Ekman-Larsson
D | Coyotes
Age: 29
It has been a tense offseason for the captain, who was nearly traded. It appears Ekman-Larsson is staying in Arizona -- for the time being, at least -- and after hearing his name bounced around the rumor mill, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the defenseman play with a chip on his shoulder. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Since 2014-15, Ekman-Larsson ranks second among all defensemen with 93 power-play goals, trailing only Brent Burns in that span.
78. Darcy Kuemper
G | Coyotes
Age: 30
In just 84 games over the last two seasons, Kuemper ranked second in goals-saved above average (41.92) among NHL goalies, per Natural Stat Trick. That was before his star-making performance in the postseason, leading the Coyotes to an elimination round upset of Nashville. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Kuemper is the only goalie with a .920 save percentage or better in each of the last three seasons.
79. Blake Wheeler
RW | Jets
Age: 34
The Winnipeg captain has been nothing but consistent, putting up seven straight 20-plus-goal seasons and scoring between 61 and 91 points in each. And the Jets could have a bounce-back year after GM Kevin Cheveldayoff had time to properly address the blueline. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Wheeler has played in 931 games since his debut in 2008, most in the NHL. And only Connor McDavid has more assists than Wheeler since 2015-16.
80. Mikhail Sergachev
D | Lightning
Age: 22
The talented young blueliner inked a new deal with the Lightning, who hope the offensive promise he has shown in his first three seasons materializes in a breakout scoring campaign. Sergachev has strong underlying analytics defensively, although that could be partly due to the players he's paired with in Tampa Bay. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: In 2019-20, Sergachev had the fourth-best defensive point shares among players 21 years old or younger (3.6).
81. Jacob Trouba
D | Rangers
Age: 26
New York signed Trouba to a significant contract in 2019 ($56 million over seven seasons), hoping he would be their longtime anchor on the top pairing. Trouba didn't have a stellar first season with the Rangers, but he also never had a great blue-line partner, either. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Trouba had over 173 hits and 43 takeaways last season, both top 10 among defensemen.
82. Jordan Binnington
G | Blues
Age: 27
Binnington bet on himself with a two-year extension in July 2019, and the first year saw his numbers dip after an outstanding rookie season. Hence, 2020-21 will be a critical one for the 27-year-old netminder, who struggled mightily in the postseason (.851 save percentage). -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Over the last two seasons, Binnington had a 2.30 goals-against average, third-best in the NHL (behind Ben Bishop and Darcy Kuemper).
83. Bo Horvat
C | Canucks
Age: 25
The Canucks surpassed everyone's expectations last season, and quietly at the center of it all was Vancouver's low-key captain. By the 2020 playoffs, Horvat began drawing comparisons to a young Jonathan Toews right before Chicago won three Stanley Cups. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Horvat had 10 goals in the 2020 postseason, tied for fourth-most -- and the players with more all played at least six more games than he did.
84. Jonathan Toews
C | Blackhawks
Age: 32
The Chicago captain is entering his 14th NHL season, having put together two strong regular seasons and a point-per-game postseason run that reminded many what a game-changer Toews can be when the situation warrants it. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Toews has the fourth-best plus/minus among active players in the NHL at plus-193.
85. Semyon Varlamov
G | Islanders
Age: 32
Varlamov's arrival in Long Island coincided with Robin Lehner's departure, so most fans came in skeptical. But Varlamov shined in his first season in the Islanders' system, splitting time with Thomas Greiss. Varlamov once again should shoulder slightly more starts with rookie Ilya Sorokin taking over the team's other option. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: This summer, Varlamov became the first goaltender in Islanders history to register back-to-back shutouts in a single postseason.
86. Sergei Bobrovsky
G | Panthers
Age: 32
Oh, how the mighty have fallen after one bum season and a huge new salary. Bobrovsky's first season in Florida saw him struggle to a .900 save percentage, his lowest since 2011-12. He's three seasons removed from his second and most recent Vezina Trophy. Now, can he get back to that form? -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Since 2010-11, his first season, Bobrovsky has a goalie point share of 94.1, the fifth-best in the NHL during that span.
87. Anton Khudobin
G | Stars
Age: 34
The 2020 playoffs was a showcase for how universally beloved Khudobin, aka "Dobby," is both on the Stars and in the league as a whole. Khudobin enters 2020-21 with extra confidence, thanks to a new three-year contract from Dallas, the longest contract the 34-year-old has received since he was a rookie. He will likely see a heavy workload, too, with Ben Bishop on the shelf for about two and a half months this season. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: In 2019-20, Khudobin led the NHL in save percentage at .930 and was third in goals-against average at 2.22.
88. Andrei Svechnikov
RW | Hurricanes
Age: 20
As they sang in the musical "Chicago," you gotta have a gimmick. So while Svechnikov leveled up in his second NHL season with 61 points, it was his lacrosse goals that landed him on highlight reels and put him on the radar for hockey fans. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Svech has factored on a game-winning goal 22 times since making his NHL debut in 2018-19, the third-most by a teenager in NHL history behind Sidney Crosby (28) and Patrik Laine (23).
89. Jake Guentzel
LW | Penguins
Age: 26
Guentzel had a monster 2018-19, notching his first 40-goal season. He followed it up on an even hotter streak, scoring 20 goals through his first 39 games last season, but an awkward collision and subsequent shoulder surgery cut his season short. With plenty of time to heal, Guentzel should pick up where he left off. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Guentzel's 20 goals in 39 games last season gave him a 0.51 goals-per-game rate, 10th-best in the NHL last year.
90. Filip Forsberg
C | Predators
Age: 26
A model of consistency for the Predators, Forsberg has averaged 0.79 points per game since 2015-16, leading all Nashville players with 200 even-strength points during that span. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Since entering the NHL in 2012-13, Forsberg has the most goals (166) and multigoal games (23) of any Predators player over that span.
91. Nicklas Backstrom
C | Capitals
Age: 32
Perennially underappreciated, Backstrom has been nothing but consistent in his 13-year Capitals career. It will be interesting to see how he, and the rest of Washington's veteran core, respond to new coach Peter Laviolette, who will put new demands on them so they can get back over the playoff hump. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Backstrom has 684 assists since entering the NHL in 2007-08. That's the most of any player in the league over that span.
92. Igor Shesterkin
G | Rangers
Age: 25
OK, we know what you're thinking: 92nd overall after just 12 NHL games? Hey, he won 10 of them! And this ranking is supposed to reflect our expectations for this season, and the improving Rangers are Shesterkin's team. He could end up in the conversation for the Calder Trophy if his newly drafted teammate -- Alexis Lafreniere -- doesn't take it from him. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Last season, Shesterkin won 10 of his first 12 NHL regular-season games, posting a 2.52 goals-against average and .932 save percentage.
93. Brock Boeser
RW | Canucks
Age: 23
Boeser has battled injuries early in his career but still is a very effective goal scorer. The Minnesota native has 75 goals over his first 197 games. The spotlight is brighter on Vancouver after a better-than-expected 2019-20, and also on Boeser, who should get his first 30-goal season. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Boeser has 11 multigoal games in his career, the most of any Canucks player since he entered the league in 2016-17.
94. William Nylander
RW | Maple Leafs
Age: 24
A frequent target of Toronto media critics and trade rumormongers, Nylander posted 31 goals in 68 games for the Maple Leafs last season and had a goals-scored above average of 7.4 (via Evolving Hockey). -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Nylander had seven game-winning goals last season. The only players in the NHL with more were David Pastrnak, Leon Draisaitl, Jack Eichel and David Perron.
95. Ivan Provorov
D | Flyers
Age: 24
It's easy to forget that Provorov is just 24, because he is already entering his fifth NHL season and plays with poise far beyond his years. Provorov takes a step forward every season, and he even finished top-20 in Norris Trophy voting for 2019-20. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Provorov had seven power-play goals last season, the most of any defenseman in the NHL.
96. Kevin Fiala
LW | Wild
Age: 24
The Swiss winger arrived as an offensive force last season for the Wild with 23 goals and 31 assists in 64 games, and then he carried that domination into their brief postseason with four goals in four games. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: In tying his career high for goals and setting career highs for both assists and points in a single season, Fiala registered a 5.1 offensive point share for the Wild, the highest on the team (Hockey Reference).
97. Sean Monahan
C | Flames
Age: 26
He has a reputation for being boring off the ice, and you can argue his career has been a bit monotonous. too. In each of his first seven seasons, Monahan has scored at least 22 goals. However, the Flames are hoping for more from their star players in 2020-21, including their top-line center. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Monahan has 194 goals since he entered the NHL in 2013-14. The only Western Conference players with more over that span are Patrick Kane (240), Tyler Seguin (223), Joe Pavelski (219), Jamie Benn (218) and Vladimir Tarasenko (206).
98. Ryan McDonagh
D | Lightning
Age: 31
Entering his 11th NHL season, the defenseman anchors whatever pairing Victor Hedman isn't on for the Lightning, giving the team a veteran presence while boosting players like Mikhail Sergachev. -- Wyshynski
Signature stat: Since 2014-15, McDonagh's plus-122 plus/minus ranks first in the NHL among defensemen over that span.
99. Ryan Suter
D | Wild
Age: 35
At 35, Suter is still anchoring things on Minnesota's top pairing, and he has three straight seasons of 47 or more points while playing massive minutes. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: Since 2010-11, Suter ranks in the top 10 in the NHL in games played (fourth), assists (fourth) and points (eighth) among defensemen over that span.
100. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
LW | Oilers
Age: 27
The Oilers are always in need of depth scoring behind Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. They've gotten a decent chunk already from Nugent-Hopkins, who has 74 goals over 209 games in the past three seasons. He took a step last season with a career-high 0.94 points per game. -- Kaplan
Signature stat: The former No. 1 overall pick has recorded three straight 20-goal seasons after failing to reach the mark in five of his first six seasons.
Who missed our list? Who was snubbed? Here are some players who were up for debate.